Naval Postgraduate School
Calhoun, Institutional Archive of the Naval Postgraduate SchoolNot a member yet
71232 research outputs found
Sort by
Steady-Field Coilgun Methods and Devices
No full textSteady-field coilgun methods and devices based on a steadyfield coil(s). The fundamental operational basis is to leave the current running in the solenoid/coil during the operation of the gun or other projectile launcher, where the field must be built up only once-initially, when turning the gun or launcher on. Then firing involves loading a bullet or other projectile in the barrel and releasing it to be accelerated by the established magnetic field. To fire again, the system loads the next bullet into the barrel and releases it again to be accelerated by the same steady magnetic field. To stop the firing, simply prevent the next bullet from loading, or load it but do not release it in the barrel. To turn off the system, simply disconnect the DC voltage driving the current in the solenoid(s)/coil(s)
Faces of NPS: Cmdr. Sarah Cooper
No full textFaces of NPS features Interviews spotlighting the students, faculty, staff and alumni of our Nation's premier defense education and research institution
AIR FORCE PARENTAL LEAVE UPTAKE
Get PDFParental leave policies give parents time to bond, care for children, and recover from birth; support service members’ well-being; and have critical implications for readiness, retention, and long-term health. The DoD expanded its parental leave to 12 weeks for all active-duty parents, including adoptive and long-term foster parents. This thesis examines Air Force parental leave uptake since the policy’s implementation and the factors influencing utilization. Using data from DMDC, LeaveWeb, and Air Force Personnel Information, I conducted a quantitative statistical analysis to determine leave uptake patterns. Regression analysis shows average parental leave use increased by 29 days. I also find men tend to take 35 fewer leave days than women; men tend to front-load their leave while women backload their leave. A statistically significant difference exists between men’s and women’s leave rates, and demographics and MAJCOM affiliation are associated with leave duration. I recommend improving parental leave record-keeping and continued research on the policy’s effects on readiness, retention, and other outcomes. This thesis enhances understanding of parental leave in the Air Force and underscores the need for ongoing policy evaluation to better support service members. Prioritizing service members’ well-being and their families is essential to maintaining a strategic advantage.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Major, United States Air Forc
APPLICATION OF AN INTEGRATED MOTIVATION AND WORK ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK TO IMPROVE TSA PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION
Get PDFThe mission of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is critical to the security and economic stability of the United States. TSA employs approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to screen commercial aviation passengers and their belongings at more than 430 airports across the country. These officers are hired, trained, and equipped to identify potential threats and prevent and deter terrorist attacks in the aviation transportation system. Since the agency’s founding in 2001, TSA has improved training and deployed advanced technologies to improve performance for TSOs. To amplify these gains, TSA should consider how motivation and work engagement research may be used to improve performance and increase retention. This thesis examines six motivation and work engagement theories and analyzes how findings from this area of study may be applied in the TSA operating environment. An integrated model is proposed that may yield positive results in agency performance and retention by improving culture, increasing engagement, and expanding learning outcomes. Recommendations are made for a process of experimentation and implementation of the model in the TSA operating environment.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, Department of Homeland Securit
ANALYSIS OF A KINETIC ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT SYSTEM
Get PDFIn a potential maritime conflict between the United States (U.S.) and China, the U.S. may find itself at a significant disadvantage. This thesis explores a potential solution to bridge this gap: a kinetic orbital bombardment system (KOBS). Once relegated to science fiction, this capability has become feasible due to significant advances in space technology and the decreasing cost of launching to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). While international law prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space, there are no such restrictions on conventional weapons. This study assesses the feasibility, challenges, opportunities, and costs of KOBS to guide future design considerations. A systems engineering approach was employed to create a detailed design architecture, examining the system’s structure, requirements, and operational utility. Modeling and simulations indicate that a constellation of satellites, positioned at 300 km altitude across six orbital planes with six satellites per plane, could target any location on Earth within 12 to 27 minutes, delivering 1 gigajoule of kinetic energy with an estimated cost of $119,000 per strike. As adversaries continue to explore the weaponization of space, the U.S. must consider its own strategic options. A Kinetic Orbital Bombardment System offers a unique deterrence capability, delivering a rapid, globally-reaching strike that is difficult to counter, with unparalleled technical surprise.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
TESTBED DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR MEDIUM VOLTAGE MW SCALE DC CIRCUIT BREAKER
Get PDFNavy propulsion and electrical power systems are evolving as improved technologies pave the way for increased capabilities with medium voltage direct current power distribution systems. These new systems require protective devices to sustain operations onboard ships at sea while providing quick reaction times to remedy inevitable electrical circuit mishaps. This thesis aims to determine what testbed components and parameters support accurate testing of a newly proposed design for a high-density, MW-scale, 2 kV solid-state circuit breaker. Circuit breaker operation, a comparison of the state of the art and a proposed solid-state circuit breaker, and the topology and test plans for the testbed are discussed in detail. A virtual testbed was created and tested through a power electronics simulation platform to determine the feasibility of using a laboratory hardware testbed to test the solid-state circuit breaker. Switching and thermal tests were run to understand the effects on components at different voltages and currents and to determine if the solid-state circuit breaker can provide lasting protection for future technologies. This study shows that the testbed components chosen yielded satisfactory results with enough capability margin to effectively mimic system conditions that the solid-state circuit breaker may face in actual operation.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyNASA Cleveland, OH 4414
LEADERSHIP AND POLICY EFFECTS ON ATTRITION DYNAMICS IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE
Get PDFThis thesis examines how leadership affects retention rates in Marine Corps Reserve units by evaluating the relationship between key leaders and the strength and retention within these units. Force Design 2030 highlights that the Marine Corps Reserve must overcome essential challenges to maintain skilled Marines and achieve combat readiness. The plan outlines a strategic shift from recruiting fresh personnel to retaining veterans who handle complex tasks and improve operational readiness. The research utilizes personnel data from 2004 to 2024 and applies Difference-in-Differences regression models to understand how leader tenure influences personnel numbers and attrition rates within broader service-wide changes. Leadership shows a measurable impact on units but demonstrates significant variations in strength and direction throughout different units and periods. Statistical analysis shows few leaders had measurable effects on personnel dynamics, indicating that multiple other variables usually eclipse leadership impact. Future research must include external operational variables like deployment locations and training settings to separate leadership impacts with greater precision. Investigating these aspects will help future studies give detailed recommendations for resource management and retention strategies to reduce attrition rates in the Marine Corps Reserve.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserv
THE RIGHT STUFF: ENHANCING NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PROMOTION BOARDS
Get PDFThe U.S. Navy and Marine Corps promotion board process is time-consuming and cognitively intensive for board members. This results in an environment that strains cognitive load and is ripe for the introduction of error. To evaluate what cognitive challenges board members face and how they arrive at a promotion recommendation, I conducted structured interviews of promotion board members and a think-aloud protocol to highlight these issues. I then completed a meta-analysis of three latent thematic analyses of the interviews. I found that time constraints under cognitive load and egocentric lay theories were the primary drivers of friction and noise within the promotion process. I conclude that improvements to marginal promotion decision-making may be achieved by targeting these issues.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisCaptain, United States Marine CorpsNPS Naval Research ProgramThis project was funded in part by the NPS Naval Research Program
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF AUGMENTED REALITY ON NAVAL MAINTENANCE USING KVA
No full textThis thesis investigates using augmented reality (AR) technology to minimize downtime in Navy corrective maintenance processes, emphasizing I and D-level repairs. The primary research question investigates how AR integration affects operational efficiency, cost savings, and return on investment in naval maintenance. The research uses the knowledge value-added framework to quantify process benefits using three models: “as-is” (current state), “incremental to-be” (partial AR adoption), and “radical to-be” (full AR integration). The results show that AR-enhanced maintenance dramatically decreases fault rectification time, with the radical model obtaining a 28% reduction in overall processing time and a cost savings of $94,119 each cycle. These findings emphasize AR’s ability to increase fleet readiness, minimize dependency on shore-based repairs, and cut maintenance costs. The thesis indicates that complete AR integration provides revolutionary benefits, establishing AR as an important instrument in modern naval maintenance. Recommendations include gradual AR installation, extensive training programs, and future research into Digital Twin Technology integration to improve operational efficiency.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Military Expert 5, Republic of Singapore Nav